Another luchtime walk, it helps clear the mind. Took a walk down the new bridleway, it is very ugly and not half as good as walking donw the stretch towards Aylebury.
I’d rather be out walking
Category: Walk
Spring is here
Weather here in Buckinghamshire as taken a turn for the better, sun is shining and the temperatures are up. Found some flowers at lunchtime, when I wnt for a quick walk, I haven’t a clue what they are. Answers on a postcard please. They are not Dandelions or Celendines.
Walk round HMP Bovingdon
Started off the A41 at the services near Bovingdon. Parked near paint balling centre. There is lots of rubbish perhaps from the market.
Magpie, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Rook, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest, Robin, Kestrel, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling, Blackbird, Buzzard, Blue Tit, Skylark, Red Kite, Wood Pigeon, Collared0 Dove, Mallard, Black-headed Gull.
The walk ended at the Bovingdon Market site, and it was market day. Helen did not enjoy walking down the stalls but we got some chips and vegetables for dinner tomorrow.
At the duck pond on Whelpley Hill there was a large rat on a bird table.
A walk around Dancersend
Back from visiting my folks for the weekend. The weather fine so I made the most of the time remaining of the weekend by going for a walk around Dancersend. I parked past the famous Gravity Hill in a small layby. From there I headed back for the hill and took the footpath that crosses the road, in the direction of Tring. You pass an old walled garden, which must have been part of an old estate there is a big house nearby.
I then headed toward the Ridgeway via a place called Hangs End, where I came across a flock of Chaffinch and Yellowhammer, try as I might I could not see and Brambling. Following the footpath up the hill, which has been moved to the top of the bank of a deep ditch, which makes for a much better walk, iI took a picure of some fungi. You hit the Ridgeway then turn right and eventually end up at the top of the Crong. Trun right down the steep hill until the bend and enter Dancersend nature resrve. Back up the hill to Dancersend house and you back to the car.
Welney swan feeding
Did a trip to Welney WWT with parents. Thought we would have to go the long way because the road would be flooded but saw signs for Swan feeding and tried the short way. Turns out the floods had receded recently.
Wood Pigeon, Rook, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Comorant, Magpie, Pheasant, Mute Swan, Mallard, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Red-legged Partridge, Lapwing, Wigeon, Coot, Kestrel, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Pochard, Whooper Swan, Redshank, Moorhen, Herring Gull, Greylag, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Tree Sparrow, Dunlin, Great Crested Grebe, Starling. (36)
Adnams in a pub near you
Went for a walk locally. Field Fare, long Tailed Tits, Redwing, Starling.
On the way popped in to Ridge for a cheeky pint and what do you know they sell Adnams. Here is a random picture for you.
Sky Larks
Helen saw the first one as we drove back the morning after an evening at Ian and Rosie’s. Later that day I went for a walk from Edlesborough round “Pulpit Hill” and Chequers. In the field that runs next the the village hall about 10 Sky Larks.
Walk runs from the village hall carpark, up the road toward Checquers take the footpath across the field, toward the church, then up round the hill, now public access. Up through some over grown privet, then down and across the drive of Chequers. Up to Coombe hill down the other side to the golf club and along the road back to the village hall. (1 YTD 69)
Walk with Abida, Connie and Helen
Started at the Old Swan again. Yellowhammer, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Red Kite, Rook, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit, Pheasant, Redwing, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blackbird, and finally Fieldfare. Weather was superb, blue sky and the clouds were fluffy.
Sunday walk round Minsmere from Eastbridge
After breakfast packed and loaded up the cars, and then headed off down the foot path to Minsmere sluice. Always on the look out for Bittern flying up out of the reed beds. The weathewr was bright but not as sunny as saturday. Spotted some black ducks out at sea we claimed them as Common Scoter. Visited East Hide where we saw a Smew and a a bloke in the hide (new to bird watching) got very excited about a duck we could not figure out, turned out to be a female Smew.
Headed round and along the Northwall back to the visitors center where we had the obligatory coffee and cake. Then headed back to the pub via Bittern Hide (no sign of Bittern). All things considered a fantastic weekend.
On the way back we stopped at Auntie Anne’s and had more cakes and coffee, all home made and yummy. Had to depart all too soon and head up the A12 followed by M25.
Final list for the weekend: Robin, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, GS Woodpecker, Dunnock, Stonechat, GC Grebe, Herring Gull, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Kestrel, Magpie, Siskin, BH Gull, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Cormorant, Lapwing, Shelduck, Mallard, Dunlin, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Pheasant, Marsh Harrier, LBB Gull, Shoveller, Starling, Curlew, Rook, Bearded Tit, Canada Goose, Moorhen, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Crow, Little Egret, Coot, Common Scoter, Smew, Pintail, Sanderling, Marsh Tit, Greenfinch, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Jay. (60 YTD 68)
A walk by the sea
Got up for breakfast at 9, excellent fry the landlord had got up early to get us some Quorn sausages, we had mentioned the previous evening we are all veggies. Drove to Minsmere RSPB reserve then walked over to Dunwich Heath via the north wall. Saw a suspected Osprey that turned out to be a Marsh Harrier, but no Dartford Warbler. After coffee at the coast guard cottages we headed back down to the East hide where there was not much to see the usual ducks, lots of Lapwings, and just a couple of waders (Dunlin). On the way back to the visitors centre we got superb views of 5 Bearded Tits. Back to the pub to change then off to Southwold shopping. We saw a field of Curlew on the way. Bought some almonds and a Heidi Pie from the foodies shop then back to our accommodation to watch the rugby. Ireland won and as I write I we are in the pub drinking best bitter!